I had a medical for esa recently and have been put into the WRAG. I will be reassessed in six months which is the norm for this group. If you get put into the support group I think different rules apply. I think there are a number of interviews to attend at the Jobcentre for the work group.
You may be asked if you can use a knife and fork, how you prepare a meal, take a bath/shower, if you can dress yourself, what you do with your day etc. All these questions give indication of how you move about, bend, stretch and so on, and for how long, so do be careful when you answer. You may be asked to get up on a rediculessly high couch, (there are usually steps). I am only 5ft tall and can't climb up onto anything thats higher than my hip, so I asked the assessor if they wanted to lift me up onto it
I am very heavy to lift. My bg reading that morning was 8.7mml. Do tell the assessor about any hypo's and hypers and what effect on your health and day to day living they have on you. If you have lost feeling in your feet which puts you at greater risk of falling, tell them etc. If they are do not seem to take that in, tell them again a bit later in the medical. If this isn't considered at the assessment, your GP, physio can give written evidence for your appeal. Beware the waiting area, it has cctv. :roll: The assessment centre I attended does not allow the use of mobile phones in waiting area or food or drink at all and the security officer approached people with coffee or phones. There was nowhere to park outside and it was on a busy raod. I am not sure if this is commonplace.
Make a copy of the ESA50 form you fill in before medical, take your time filling it in and ask someone to check it. It will be useful if you appeal the decision or need to apply again.
You can have the medical recorded, some people covertly record in secret, this can be useful if you need to appeal, as many do, although if you record in secret you will not be able to use it at the appeal hearing but it will give you a useful reference point when thinking about the appeal form.
If you have disability that makes travel and walking particularly difficult you can ask your GP to fax a letter to ATOS customer services requesting a home visit. If the ATOS doctor refuses they may pay taxi fares too and from the assessment centre. Do get an acknowledgement of any special request in writing, either by letter or email from customer services. Don't just reply on what is promised in a phone call.
Do take someone with you for support if you can. Take a letter from hospital that give the date of your diagnosis and the condition, put it down on the table and ask if the assessor would like to look at them, even if they don't. I found doing this gave me a minute or two breathing space and the assessor looked across at the hospital letter. Ask them to repeat and explain anything you are not sure of. I asked at the end of session, what happens now? Can I have copy of your report?
I read many other posts on different forums about these medicals and esa/dla applications beforehand and was so certain I would get nil points. I found it helped to think about and plan my appeal. It helped me to concentrate on what the important key points of my disability is. Even though I didn't need to go down this road this time. Staying focused in this way did help.
Most of all, do not loose heart, this process is extremely frustrating and difficult for all who go through it and the government are tightening up for sure. Many people who do appeal go on to be awarded benefit but do get advice if you need to do this. If you need to appeal do state clearly that you want to be paid benefit whist waiting for the hearing. You will need to send medical certificates from your gp until esa/dla is awarded.
Good luck for your IB review, hope everything goes well for you
